The idiocy of the charade

"What does a person need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? ”

― Sterling Hayden, Wanderer, 1963

I love this book and in particular this quote. It had quite an effect on my life and my decisions to go out adventuring with my family and turn my back on a more traditional way of living. The fact it was written almost 60 years ago blows my mind. Just think of the gadgetry he is thinking of in the 1960's compared to the level of distraction we have now.

The idiocy of the charade is crazy now. There is such high levels of distractions from the real life that a lot have simply forgotten what real life actually is. Forgotten what it's like to be walking though the woods, or paddle out on the water, or climb in the mountains. Or just sit there and look at ants on a rock or watch a crow walk across the grass. Or to hug your loved ones and actually take the time to know them rather than just post on social media about them like they are trophies to collect not people to engage with.

Bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? It's a choice we all make whether we consciously consider the question or not.

I took this shot of this tall ship while at anchor on our small yacht off Fort de France in Martinique. It made me think of Hayden and the type of ships he was sailing in the 1960s.

If you would like to learn a little bit more about my background in photography you can read the interview @photofeed did with me here.

Robert Downie
Love Life, Love Photography

_{All images in this post were taken by and remain the Copyright of Robert Downie - http://www.robertdowniephotography.com}